Alex and the length of a country.

Dear Alex:

It was such a pleasure to meet you and family and frineds last tuesday. The traveler's rest is a wonderful pub, adn having just the bar available did because that private party did not make any difference. I had a great time, and my first pub lock in!!

It was a plasure to speak with you about cricket, tennis and football, to sadly realize that probably Arsenal will not win any trophies this season.... hopefully, we are wrong.

I would like to thank you so much for giving your cricket ball to me. I dumped the fake one in my rucksack, and I carry yours in my pocket all the time. This ball will travel with me all the way through Scotland, and will finally see the North sea by John O'Groat's sometime in september. Thank you so much!!

Alex.

I slept quite well on that night, in the camping nearby Dalton, but not enough as I had once again, a nice headache, "thanks" to the lock in night. In the morning I discovered that part of my breakfast had dissapeared: the chorizo pack was empty, and the chesse, including the package was missing. I don't remember if I left the tent opened or not, but a have a suspect for the crime:

Suspect

Anyway, I left Dalton with the nice memory of the best night of the walk so far, and not only because of you Alex, but also due to nice company of your mother Anne, that was extremely nice and kind, and Keith, the local builder that looks at least ten years younger than he actually is, and John, an old 3.500 acres farmer, with whom I briefly spoke about interested farming issues... I learned a few things.

Camping in the farm near Dalton

The day, on wednesday, it was cloudy in the begining, but I got plenty of blue skies by the end of the day. The walk began on country lanes, then a short bit in a noisy double cariageway, and straight into a footpath by the river Tees, that I followed up to Barnard castle, where I stopped for a meal in a pub, and a bit of a rest ( I was feeling a bit rough still). Later on I walked, already in tha sun through a few fields, leaving the river behind, and entereing in a very dense forest where a nice stream was running. Fresh, light filtering through the branches of the trees and, and the souond of the water. Very pleasant.

You don't get many sunny days like this one, so farmers rashed to get this type of work done.

Once I left the forest, took a few more country lanes towars Middleton-in-Teesdale. I was quickly surrounded by the hills of the North Pennines, that I would walk the next day. The camping at Middleton had a bar, which was very convenience for dinner and drinks. By this time, my head was already recovered from the night at your place, Alex, but I was feeling quite tired, so I went quickly to the tent.

The plan for the next morning... well, to be honest with you Alex, I had no plan fo the next day. I had to walk through the Pennines, and that can be slower and more difficult than I might thought when I look at the map. So I took tha path, without knowing where I would finish on that day.

Thursday was one of those days when the rucksack seems to be much heavier that the day before, although it is actually the same weight!. So, for the whole day, I had a sore back, and it was hurting me on the hips too and i got a strange looking blisters there.

In the day I walked in a mixture of paths and lonely roads. Sometimes following the Pennine way. No far from Middleton I visited High Force, an impresive 21 metres high water fall. I have observed that since I entered the Pennines a few weeks ago, the streams are red coloured, containing some kind of reddish sediment. Up here though, the red colour is not so intense, and some of the streams I crossed were colourless.

Me at High Force

Facing the last bit of the Pennines

As the day passed by, I realized I was going to make it to Alston, which right at the North side of the Hills, the end of the Pennines for me. So I walked, always in slight pain in the hips and in the back, to a nice spot by the South Tyne where I had a deserved lunch, expecting to reach Alston by 8 pm more or less. The day had been cloudy at the top of the hills, but down in the valley it wqas nice and sunny, and once again, it smelled like summer, with a not too warm sunset sun from the west, and a continous refreshing breeze form the east.

Luch by the South Tyne

Just before reaching Alston, I met a belgium couple that were cycling to Scotland. I met them too later on in the hostel at Alston, we had dinner together and then went to the pub for a quick couple of pints. The midges were again being very anoying.

A house in the south hills of the North Pennines.

An another one in the north side

In the next moring breakfast, I got to know that the army uses a mosturising cream called "Skin so nice" that apparently keep the midges away. The day was absolutly beautiful, and strangely enough, the rucksack was feeling very light on friday morning. I walked following first a steam railway line and then a dismantled one. Easy walking, and not very long, just about five hours, to greenhead.

The camping at greenhead is just a field by an old lady house, toilets an showers, but, would you need anything else in a camping??? Not me. So perfect then!

After eating and doing the daily cleaning duties, I took a bus to Haltwhistle. I did some shopping and I tried to update this blog, to let you Alex know how I was doing.I coudn't as the computer system in the library did not like uploading blog sites. So, feelling myself lost, with no hope, and not knowing where to go, I headed to the pub. The Black Bull. I can recomend it, for when you are old enough to get in pubs, over the ones that are close to Haltwhistle station.... and they have London Pride!!!!

Haltwhistle crazy people!

I lost the 8 pm bus back to the station, and I did not fancy waiting up to ten for the next one. So I walked for 1 hour back to Greenhead, that as you must be thinking Alex, it was like a stroll in the park for me.

I had a quick dinner while I got my face and legs eaten by the bloody midges, and selpt well. On the next morning, tuesday, I got up early, and took the train to Newcastle. I needed to buy a new pair of boots ( I don't know if I mentioned to you in the Traveller's Rest, that the ones I had were almost "dead", and the pair that afew frineds brought to me the last weekend were losing their soles), updating the blog, buying maps, and maybe go to the cinema to see The Dark Night, and go for a swim, all of this bearing in mind that I would meet Phil around 3 pm at the station. The library was having works done, and there was a film session for batman at 10:45, so I saw the film. The gave 5 stars to the film in the Times. I don't think the film was that good, but Heath Ledger, was absolutely amazing as the joker. That is acting! He actually became the Joker, and a very scary one. Recommended.

Me in Newcastle.

After that I bought a new pair of boots, and "Skin so nice", the midges repellent.. we'll see.... I bought the maps, visited the river, and met Phil in the O'Neals by the station.

I really liked Newcastle. Have you been, Alex? Nice wide streets in the city centre, lively by the river, and the whole city looked like going to a party... I really liked it!!

Phil and I had lunch.... (dinner for Phil) at Pizzahut (nice meal by the way), and got the train back to Haltwhistle. Made some shopping, and got lost again, no bus, no hope, no nothing... the Black Bull and more London Pride; sad life this one....

English men (the one in yellow is Phil) discussing geographic issues, and scientific ones!

In the camping we were eaten by midges once again, and decided to get up very early in the morning the next day. it was 5:30, a record for me. Starting walking at 7:30, in the fog. We quickly joinned the Hadrian's wall looking for a roman road that went in the right direction for us. The map says, remains of Roman road. There was as much remaining of the road as the soldiers taking care of it 2000 years ago: notihng. So the walk, towards Bewcastle (remains of) was quite difficult: wet and unstable terrain, reminded me Dartmoor, but no so bad.

The black bull at Hatlwhistle

The fog dissapeared, and we a beautifull second half of the day. From Bewcastle we walked 90% on country lanes. The landscape really felt like a border place to me; difficult to define, no flat, no hilly, "owned by no one".... Big masses of connifers began to appear in the horizon, landscape that you would not find in the England that we were about to leave behind.

Walking in the fog and in connifer woods.

The boots, the new ones, were behaving well, and we went through a few fords, and proved to be really water-proof. However, they were feelin a bit heavy, and we were actually not needing them for walking on a road (a deserted one) so we put our sandals on. I showed to be a good idea, adn we waled quicker and better. Phil was getting some blisters:

Making some repairs...

Wrinckly feet...

Then, we got to a point where we actually saw the border coming closer and closer. We actually saw some Scottish hills beyond the next connifer wood. Went through the forest, winding road towards Liddel Water, and there it was: Scotland. And what it means, I have now walled the length of a country, this beautiful country of yours Alex: rights of way, fields, streams and woods, stiles and kissing gates, towns and villages, pubs, and lost of beer, and cider too. And the country of Cricket.... this though, my only dissapointing so far. I mean, I am leaving the England without having been able to see a cricket game.... well, I guess there will always be next summer...

Just on the bridge over the Scottish border on Liddel Water river

Let's walk another country then! And then realizing, how my life changed in the last few months; and how unexpected would be from before those months to see me doing what I am doing now. I guess everything is possible, in a very possitive way.

The plan was getting to Newcastleton, but we actually stayed in Sorbietrees. A B&B just outside the town. I should recommend the place if you ever come up here Alex, as it is in a beautiful location, the house itsefl is huge and carefully and finely decorated, they have animals, the breakfast was huge and very good, and Sandy was a never ending smile extremely kind and nice hostess. And the place is cheap for the quality. She treated us very well, and after our shower she gave us a lift to town for dinner, picked us back to the B&B later on.

We ate at the Grapes hotel. A obscene dinner.... It made me sweat, very good!!

Saying goodbye to Sandy

Now we are in town, Newcastleton, and Phil is being very patient waiting for me while I write this long letter to you Alex. So thanks to him! In themeantime he is making some repairs to his boots:

I am impressed!!

Today we just have a short walk to Langholm, in the next valley (4 hours I think), an on a road. So we should be there by 6 or 7.

And that was all for the moment. I hope you liked my letter, and follow my blog for my Scottish walk.

Dear Alex, truly yours.

Carlos.

Rest weekend and national security threats

Hi all

I am in Richmond, a lovely village in North Yorkshire.

Richmond main square

After leaving the library in Harrogate I went to a pub in the town centre for a few pints and planning the following days on the maps. Then I went to the Wetherspoon free house for a curry and the last pint of the night. The pub is a huge building with very high ceilings and very good atmosphere. After that I headed to the camp site and had a nice sleep.

In the morning, threatened rain, but it hold up so that I could pack tent and things in dry conditions. Later I had very light rain but I did not need to use my poncho. Before leaving harrogate I quickly went through the town centre to change a map that I actually did not need.

Before starting walking I phoned David, Liz's Dad, to let him know that I would get to Ripon just before the duck race (?????) at 6. Later on I realize that I would get to Ripon much earlier and we rearranged the meeting.

The walk run through easy walking paths and fields in a grey gloomy day.

Once in Ripon and after meeting David and Elaine (Liz's Mum) had a shower and we all went to the duck race. I eventually knew that the duck race was a fundraising event where 1000 yellow plastic ducks are released into the river in Ripon town center, and flow to a certain point. Each duck have a number attached and the first, second and third one have a prize. it was very curious seeing all those ducks coming in the river, and seeing the real ones just wondering what the hell is coming down the river!

The duck race in Ripon.

After the race, barbaque, and back "home" for doing some cooking. I cooked my world famous rice pudding (arroz con leche) whike having one or two lagers, and a few glasses of Shiraz, my arm twisted on my back, I swear.... ;) I should say that I was very happy with the outcome of my cooking, and this rice pudding was at least as good as the one I cooked 5 years ago in Javi and Zoraida place in London. Well done to me.

By the time Will, Liz, Paco, and Djeison arrived it was almost midnight, and I had just finished cooking, and was nicely pissed thanks to the tireless persinstence of David, and his hard work on filling up my glass, arm twisted once again...

We decided, that on the first day of my rest weekend in Ripon we (Paco, Will, Djeison and myself) would walk the three peaks of the Yorkshire dales. A 40 Km walk, with three summits to climb in the middle. Liz and Elaine had a nice shopping day at York, and David went umpiring a cricket game.

On saturday we woke up at 5 am, as a beginning for my rest day. At 8, we were in the car park, that was already full at such an early hour. The first peak was really close to us and we could see it behind a cloud on top of us. Once we got into the cloud, and reached the ridge that would take us to the top of the peak, horrible wind a rain started. As you know I have a poncho to keep myself dry, and it was like wearing a kite in the wind. I managed to not to start flying.

Top of the first peak. Awful wheather conditions.

The rest of the day we had a bit more rain, but generally it was ok. We even had very far nice views of the sea and the Morecambe Bay.

Amazing views from the ridge of the second peak, with the third one in the distance.

Down to the car park, the walk was not very long, but fel like it were: we were really tired, and really looking forward to get "home" and eat.

Nackered after finishing the walk

Paco cooked lentils, and I made a tortilla, both succesful. For sunday we had a climbing day planned.

The weather was good this time. Brendham Rocks (not sure about the spelling) is an area used in Orienteering too, and has many curious rock formations. Everybody tried the climbing excepting Elaine and myself. I really wanted to try, but I also needed to have a real rest day.

Liz: still long way to go to the top

David, the master, showing us how to do it.

Will, finding his way up the hill.

Paco showing off his skills

And Djeison; probably the less experienced climber, but was a pleasure seeing him fighting to reach the top of each cliff. Unstoppable!!

Once back at home we had a very nice meal and Liz, Paco, Will and Djeison left.

I made some repairs on the banner and rucksack, and we Elaine David and myself went out for a drink before seeing the Ripon Hornblower: a guy that everyday, through the years, blow his horn at 9 pm to confirm that everything is ok in town, and look after the wellbeing of Ripon citizens overnight.

Ripon Hornblower

I would like to thank Elaine and David for giving us such a wonderful weekend. The best one of my walk.

Elaine and David

Yesterday monday, I had possibly the best day of summer in terms of weather; sunny and quite warm. I walked through well signed paths and hills and fields. I really pleasant day. I got lost a couple of times, but I found my way easily.

Very close to the camp site I was aiming for, and walking by a leisure reservoir, I saw the usual rabbits running away as i would approach them. There was a big bush near by where they could hide; three of the rabbits stayed by the edge of the bush, so try to get closer to them. I moved very slowly, and eventually I got very very close to them. I think I got 4 or 5 metres away from them, and I managed to shoot a few nice pictures.

When I was so close so that I was almost shooting from above i went down on my knees, and then they got scared and run away. This was a very strange happening; rabbits normally run away and hide when you are much more far away than 4 or 5 metres. Nice picture anyway.

The camping was a nice place, with a very recommendable pub, with nice expensive food, (not that I tried it but it looked like it). They had Black Sheep, nice ale!!

Today I started walking before 10. Overcast in the beginning, but now the sun is shining. Walked mainly in country lanes to reach Caterrick Garrison, a military village where there are military schools and do training as well. I had my long lens on, so I started tooking pictures, mainly of the barb wire fences, trying to get a nice pattern somehow.

There are four characters involve in the next story: "General" (G), "Sergeant" (S), Militar police (MP) and me. First of all, I would like to make very clear, that they were all very polite and nice, and not rude at all in any moment.

So, after taking a few of my pictures, I continued to walk, when a military security vehicle parked in front of me on the pavement. I made evasive manouvres, round the back of the car, but S cut my way, being quickly surounded by anemy forces when G joined him at my back. "so, you come for me" I said. "Yes"

I was being a security threat by taking pictures. "hey look, they are just barb wire fences, the picture could have been taken any where..." I said. G: "barb wire fences (suspicioues tone)?, why?" "well...". I sugested that they took the camera and delete the security breach pics, juts those ones, but G insisted in deleting all of them as he would do the curring head off gesture with his finger. "Wow!, you are walking Britain" S said, looking at my banner.

Pics gone, continued to walk. 10 minutes later, they were back, this time with a military police member in the car. She was extremely nice and polite to me, and asked me for my details. I was and am pretty sure that they are not going to do anything dodgy with them, but I "resisted" a bit, asking "what if i do not give them to you?". It was clear that I would not get anywhere so I gave them my name, adress and number. MP had a phone called and she answered: "no prob down here, national security threat under control".

Before they left I asked general, to be in a photo with me. He did not want to, I think he was shy. By MP, did not have much of a problem, and general showed to be as good photagrapher as a soldier...... and a security threat too!!! I laughed my way to Richmond.

National threat!

Time is running out in the library. Time to leave a find my today camping. I hope to see dan Edwards tomorrow.

Thanks for reading me.

Carlos

Nice Glen and sister donated £1 for EACH

Between Pennines and Yorkshire Dales

Hi al

I am in Harrogate.

After leaving the library in Holmfirth I just walked an extra 30 min. to the camping. The field, although nosy had very nice views of just trees around it. Shower, washing up, and usual pub and pints for diary updating.

Met the locals, and really had problems to understand the guy talking to me; really dificult accent up here!

More feet pictures: this is what happend if you walk in the Pennine moors with "waterproof" shoes.

It would take me two days to reach Harrogate on wednesday. On the first day on tuesday I would go to Pudsey. The walk run first on country lanes and then through the suburbs of Leeds and Hurddesfield. The area is quite nice with beautiful hills and contours, but very populated and heavily industrialised.

The banner, as said before, does not stop giving me happy moments. This time a guy driving a boilers and heating repairs van stopped. As he did not have any money, he gave an a box with no one, no two, no three, but four double chocolate muffins. I loved the guy! Which takes me to comment my addiction problem with chocolate since I began the walk. There is no day without chocolate.. lots of it! The is no chocolate bar that survives the day, and chocolate biscuits packets (the whole of it) are like light snacks.... before a proper lunch or dinner...

And maybe this is why my mum says she does not see me losing any weight, but the other way round...

When I got to Pudsey, I decided to continue to walk to a camping near Leeds Int. airport. By this time the sun was shining, and as the feet were ok, I made to the camping by nine. Just before arriving I walked by a cricket game going on. Shame that I did not have time to stop. I hope to be able to see one, one of these days.

Although my feet have improved significantly (my new "1000 miles" double layer socks have a lot to do with it), I have a sore back now, and a small part of it at the top near the neck is a bit numb, so I guess there must be a pinched nerve somewhere in spine. I will worry when I can't feel my arse...

Thanks to the long walk on tuesday, I only had to walk for 4 hours yesterday, wednesday. The walk this time run mainly in pleasent footpaths. The day was quite gloomy in the morning but by the time I arrived to Harrogate it was nice and sunny, but a bit windy.

The caravan park where I am staying has the worst shower so far, but the place is not far from the town centre. Harrogate is full of expensive design shops, and people carrying bags from them. Something that called my attention was that I found difficult to find a pub in the town centre... I was about to ask. "excuse me, U know where can I find a pub???" ... in England...

A touch of yesterday in today's country lanes.

After the daily cleaning duties I had a huge lunch by the Harrogate war memorial (tripple choc muffin included, and chocolate biscuits packet), and updated my diary. Then last night, I had the best sleep in the tent so far.

A railway bridge near Harrogate

This morning had my breakfast in the tent, it was raining, and went for a swim. My back does not ache any more, but it is still numb.

After leaving the library I'll go for tea at Betty's (I'll give tea one more try; the last and first one was in Oxford, almost 6 years ago...), and then read the newspaper in a pub, if I find one...

Tonight, early to "bed". Tomorrow walk to Ripon, where at last I will meet Will, Paco, Djeison and Liz's family. Looking forward to the weekend

That is all for now.

I hope you are all well

Carlos

The Pennine Way

Hi all

I am in Holmfirth, a small pleasent village south of Hurddesfiled.

Hey Julien, you were right, the cows love me!!! ;)

After leaving the library in Buxton I found a B&B in the town centre. The owner, Sandra, invited me for a nice meal. Lamb... MMMmmmm!!! After the shower went shopping and looked for a pub to have the usual pints, and update my diary. It was saturday, so the atmosphere would not suit a guy wearing sandals and a dirty trekking trouser. Found a quite pub and went to bed early.

On the saturday I had planned a short walk, it took 4 hours evntually, to the youth hostel in Edale. In the begining on the day it kept on raining, and it was quite windy too. Before leaving Buxton, posted some maps "home" (thank you Elena and Julien) and bought some more. I met a guy that not only knew Asturias but also knew that it never was conquered by the moros. Remarkable!!

Me, near Edale, with the Mam Tor at the back.

The walk began in the main road leaving Buston. The rain stopped soon and by the time I took the secondary road through a valley parallel to the Edale one, I could see some blue patches in the sky. The hills in this area are mainly big fields with sheeps.


Edale valley from the top of the Mam Tor

I left the road to climb the Mam Tor on an easy path, and had to remove the banner from my rucksack as it was very very windy. The Edale valley looked like a beautiful place from the top of the Tor, and from there I could see the hostel and a few camppings; I descended in no more than and hour and reached the hostel at 4 pm. The place is very beautiful, and there is a lot to do, including rock cllimbing and other adventure activities.

The view from my room in the Edale hostel.

I had a huge lunch, cleaned the camera and lenses and, obviously, headed to the pub in Edale village. Nice path 30 minutes walk, in sandals. The pub is the Nag's Head, that is the official start for the Pennine Way. Awsome, lovely place; huge too. The atmosphere on that saturday night was amazing. People singing, and local juices flowing.... I went for the Nag ale, of course. I met a few people. Ernei, from York, we are supossed to meet again in Harrogate, for tea a cakes, in Betty's. As I said the night was great and I had a "few" of Nag. I walked back to the hostel with Ernei, a former military, that had no problem with orientation in pitch black night. So, he found the way to the hostel, but had a few problems with my sandals, and the path condition. See the picture below...

The stuff in the left foot is mud. What I have in the right one I was pretty sure it was sheep shit...

The night was fun, the next morning wasn't... tipically. Headache, I wish I would not exist.... After the shower, and a proper breakfast I was ready to take on the Pennine way from the Nag's Head. At last, the sun was shining, and there were just a few clouds.

Edale village from the end of the footpath

Before continuing, I would like to tell you that the Edale valley has become my favourite place of the walk so far. The perfect walking holliday spot. Worth checking and coming.

The awsome Nag's Head

The plan for the day was reaching Holmfirth on sunday evening. I would follow the Pennine way mainly but I would also took a few shortcuts. The first one would be just climbing strainght the north hills of the valley, where I met some walkers and a couple of fell runners.

Hard work

After the climb I would follow the ridge until a stream that would take me North and northwest to reach finally the Pennine way in another ridge facing west. The plan did not quite worked as i got lost when I could not find the path by the stream. The place was a flat muddy and wet moor, but although quite wet, the mud in the place was strangly firm and compact, so it wasn't too bad. This Orienteering champion finally found his way and I began waking the P. way

Hey Jose, I spoke to you on the phone, just in this spot!!

I followed the way with the city of Manchester in the distance. The scenary was mainly moorland and I was impressed with some very long parts of the way that were paved with very big flat stones.

The pennine highway

The way finally reaches a stream that transformed into a huge gully that went down to a reservoir in Crowden where I stayed. I understimated distances and took me 8 and a half hours to reach Crowden. The camping was all right and had my first experince with midges, those tiny buggers form hell!. It was just 15 minutes while I was eating and almost got me mad. I am defenetly getting a repelant! I should also mentioned that on sunday had my first day of walking without any soreness due to blisters. Good!!

Pennine moorland

Today monday, I made the rest of the walk to Holmfirth. It did not rain yet, but it is quite a gloomy oveercast day. The walked was more of the same moorland, and took me four hours to reach the village. I still have to have a look a t the maps to decide where I will stay today, but I think I'll head to a camping 30 minutes walk form here, north of the village.

I think I'll be in Harrogate on Wednesday where I will rest for a day before meeting Will, Paco and Djeison in Ripon.

Everything going very well, thank you very much for reading me.

All the best.

Carlos

A gift.

Hi all

I am carrying with me an MP3 that I use specially in "up the hill" moments.

I have some of my favourite songs in it. One of them is A&E from Glodfrap; song that I already new but that I rediscovered thanks to Karen. It sounds very profound, but then the lyrics seem a bit superficial, or maybe I don't get the meaning.

The clip is a bit weird, but eventually I liked it very much.

Here it is:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=5VPyso87fZU

Enjoy and tell me what you think.

Carlos.

PS: Since I saw the clip I have been looking for Nymphs in the English forests. None found... yet.

Into the amazing Pennines

Hi all.

I am in Buxton.

A massive bull in the fields outside UtoxeterThe walk from Utoxeter into the Pennines was not so bad in terms of weather as yesterday, and it was sunny in the begining. A few minutes on the way and I had to stop to remove the banner from my bag and put the poncho on. It did not rain for too long, and eventually I had a decent day, mostly overcast but with patched of blue sky. I kept on walking through farming fields and in the distance I could see the soouth end of the pennines, that reminded me the looking like of the moors I have walked.


I had a lunch in Alton. A nice quite village. Fried a lamb steak and had it with beans and bread. The first gas canister run out, at last. Alton is close to Alton Towers, a theme park on a hill, just before the Pennines. I went round the hill hearing the Roller Coaster noise and people screaming.

Inmediatly after that went down to a ltlle stream and through a field that was a deer park. It is not the same as shooting them in the wild, but they ar beautiful animals still.

From there and after walking on a secondary but wide road I went up into the Pennine Hills. Seen from close, they certainly looked like the moors that I walked, but that was just the beginning.

Then I discovered the most beautiful landscape i have seen so far in my walk: narrow lanes, and very accesible and well signed posted foot paths everywhere, fields, for cows and sheeps, separated by stone walls, and ondulating hills with scattered trees, not big woods anywhere. And then it was how quite it was; my footsteps sounded like a thunder on all that silence.

Then I met Allan, Graham and June in Old Field farm. They were cutting sheeps wool, and giving them some kind of treatment. It was a lovely encounter, in a lovely place. Felt very authentic.

I continued to walk in this lovely place, nice shorrt grass fields, so that my waterproof shoes did not get to soaked...

I was really tired, but I was not in a hurry to get to where ever I was going to sleep that day; I was taking my time taking pictures.

In the end, and after 8 hours walking, found a camping barn run by the YHA in Butterton. It was full, but the guy in charge let me stay in the field behind his house. Had dinner quickly and went down to the pub in the village. The Black Lion, lovely place with nice atmosphere, and Cow Blonde, nice beer. I updated my diary and did next day plan. Back to the tent in the fine rain.

Today in the morning, it was raining when I woke up, so I waited until it stopped. Breakfast, some cheese and bread and go. Therer was a very heavy shower that got me at the bottom of a field, that made me feel the most miserable being on earth, but luckily the weather was so bad in the end. It did not rain anymore.

I bought something to eat in Longnor and had it while walking as i wanted to get to Buxton in time to update the blog. Eventually I deceded to do the whole today walk on roads, which was not too bad as they were not too busy ones and run in very nice landscape. got to Buxton early, and I might go for a swim in the local swimmingpool.

I don't know what i'll be doing tomorrow, but I think I'll look for a youth hostel to stay somewhere in hills.

That is all for now.

Take care.

Carlos

Wet. Urban. Very wet.

Hi all.

I am in Utoxeter, north of Birmingham. I am close to the peak district where I will be arriving later on today.

The walk on monday was quite a wet one, so I had the opportunity to practice a bit more my putting-poncho-on-art. Yes, it rained. So many things are said about rain, most of them negative, but I have been learning new things about it. Rain can be knoledge, rain can be phylosophy, rain can make you think about life.

For example, if it were not for the rain, I would not have discovered something about my shoes. When I bought them in Blacks, in Horsham, they said they were waterproof. Thanks to the rain I know that, while my poncho is waterproof, my tent is waterproof, my walking shoes are as waterproof as a kitchen clothe. You just need 5 minutes of walking in a wet grass field, and they are full of water.

Another thing about rain, and closely related to my soaked waterproof shoes, is that wet things are not such a bad thing. I mean that there is something great about wet things: after a while, they get dry!! So it is not so bad.

And the last thing, nothig like a bit of rain outdoors, to make you aprecciate a nice dry sunny day.

Like the photography above shows, the day was not that awful and there was time to see a little bit of sunshine. The landscape changed and became a little bit like the fields and woods in Sussex, which was much more pleasent to walk on.

Just in the final approach for the camping near Bobington, I went through a knettles field, and they are not so bad beacuse after a while you stop feeling the stings....

Once again my banner made its impact in the camping and a I stayed for free, and got a free dinner: a nice Tesco Microwaved lasagne with brocoli. Awsome. After the usual shower and washing up I cycled (I also borrowed the camping cycle) to the Red Lion in Bobington. There, a couple of pints, planning and updating and was invited to have breakfast on the next morning.

The breakfast was really good, and had the opportunity to know who I think was the manager of the pub, Mathew Shaw. Generous on the breakfast, and in the donation for the charity. Thank you!!

Tuesday was a urban walk. The first part of tyhe walk, through country lanes, I made it on my sandals, while my waterproof shoes got dry hanging from my rucksack. In the first half of the walk I went through Wolverhampton, not the nicest place in the world, but I got another interview for the local paper Express and Star. I remember to have been in the city 5 years ago for the Virgin festival, when I was young.

I walked out of the city, already a bit in pain due to a couple of blisters in my heels. What followed was a few double carriage ways between wolverhampton and Cannock. Went through Cannock and quickly began walking in the Cannock chase, and nice connifer forest. On my way in the forest I asked for a camping to stay, a place that resulted to be a deserted field with a hose and a label saying "camping site", and I bumped into a group of Orienteerers, all of them having problems with control number 13. Surprisingly, they had not heard about the Southdowns spring gallopen champion..... they must belong to a a small crappy club I suppose...... :)

When I arrived to the "campsite", had dinner and went to "bed" quickly. I was very tired.

Next morning it was raining, and it was raining for the rest of the day. I did not learn new things about life and phylosophy this time, and i just wanted the rain to stop. No pictures, no nothing, just rain and walk wet.

Next stop was Utoxeter where I am now. I stayed ni B&B; it was time for a real bed.

Today I will contibnue to walk North and I will hopefully sleep somewhere in the peak district. Looking forward to it, but curious about how my legs will cope in the slopes.

Yesterday I spoke with my support team, Jeremi and Paco, and hopefully I should be getting a replacement for my waterproof shoes next week on friday, which will be great. Thank you both you!!

I would like to mention the banner flag again. It is impossible to explain how much support I am getting thanks to it. It is specially good when i go through bigger towns. Horns, thums up and cheerings from the cars, sometimes they even stop for a word or two, or for making a donation, or handing me some water. And then is all the faces reading the banner: faces in :-0, faces in :-), and even faces in :-/ not knowing very well what that "walking Britain" means. And then it is the amount of money raising: around £150 in the last week.

It really keeps me going. The picture below, although not very good, it is a good exmple of it.

And that is all for now. I might be updating the blog tomorrow afternoon, or saturday morning in Buxton, well into the Peak District.

Best wishes to everyone.

Carlos

Hi all.

I am in Kiddermisnter

Another Cotswold picture

The nice old lady finally woke up and did not hit the table with her teeth. I did my shopping and i had lunch just after leaving Glocester. Weather was good again, and after the previous day long walk I deserved an easy one. I walked North looking for the river again. At the end of the day, before gettting to the pub, a very nice southern continous wind was blowing, in the severn plane; very nice scent as well.

It is not as bad as it looks like

The camping was run by a pub, the Haw Bridge Inn. The flag made its effect and had a free pint of Waldston, and £15 donation. The camping was fully booked, but they still let me to pith given the size of my tent.

The Severn from Haw Bridge

Planned the next day (saturday) and I decided to got all the way to Wolcester; a long way! Went to bed (ha ha so funny...) early and next day I got up at six am (record!!!!); had a can of rice pudding (arroz con leche), and rock on!

Planning.

It was raining when I woke up but it quickly stopped. The walk was gennerally boring, just lots of planes by the river, with farms. Worth mention Upton Upon Severn, nice village, where I got more donations and bought some medicines for my throat, that was not feeling too bad, but i really don't want it to get worse considering what i am doing. It's better now.

Before getting to Wolcester got another £10 thanks to the flag. I found a B&B, had a deserved shower and dinner and went out. I booked a ticket to the cinema. I saw Hancock, entertaining, not great. I also saw Quantum of Solace trailer, nexst Bond film' and that really looked cool!

Before the film I updated my diary in a lovely Austrian pub. They had Franziskanen. "Heaven, I'm in Heaven..."

Bed (a real one this time) and the best sleep of the trip so far, 8 hours straight. In themorning had a good breakfast and took me too long to pack my things, and boil some pasta for the day, and had a good telling off by the landlady... I left quickly.

Me leaving Wolcester

Went back to town to buy a few maps, and second breakfast, and beagan the walk with a bit of rain. Rain continued on and off, so i had to use the poncho. By the way, I have reduced the time it takes to put the poncho on from 10 minutes to 2 seconds. It's fine art now!!

The plan, for yesterday sunday, was walk until I found a pub to see Nadal's game. I saw the first two sets, until a drunk parrot (woman) got it her way and they change channels to see f****ng Coronation Street (el puto culebron de turno); good!

I left and i continued to walk looking for another pub. I did not find one with a screen and I arrived to the camping. It looked like a scene from Mad Max, with lots of crapy caravans, and not a single tent. A couple of inhabitants, suggested me to stay in the field crossing the double carriage way a 100 yards up the hill, so I walked 3 miles North, and found a lost nice field where to stay

So far I am feeling very well. Having blisters but they are healing quickly.

I have noticed a slight change in people; they are different here compared to the southwest country; can't explain it. I have also picked up a different accent that I can't neither explain nor reproduce, but it is deffenetly different.

My camping field near Hurtlebury

This morning, monday, I woke up quite early again, and I am plaining to walk to a camping west Dudley.
I am starting to feel a bit like a "rolling stone": just head north, and walk, and bit by bit the walk is being done. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing bad in it. I think I am just getting used to it, and the rucksack is feeling lighter and lighter, so I guess I am getting stronger.

I am looking forward to get to the Pennines. I think the scenary will be so much more interesting there.

That is all for now.

All the best

Carlos

Cotswolds

Hi all

I am in Glocester.

Bath form the south end of the Cotswolds

From Bath I went up the hill and north into the Cotswolds. Soon, it began raining, but I won't complain as I think it was a plus considering the surrounding area: beautiful green hills, with fields with cows, and scattered small woods. I would say that this was the England I imagined walking.

The rain lasted as long as the terrain was ondulated. In the distance small patches of blue sky could be seen. Soon, the landscape became flatter with plenty of barley fields, and the sun began shining.

Just before having lunch in a picnic area by the motorway, I saw this in on of these barley fields:

If you look very close you'll see a little brown irregular shape in the field: the head of a roe deer (un corzo). I dropped my rucksack and picked up the camera with the 300 mm lense, found a way into the field and the stalking began. As I went into the field the animal saw me and it went down dissapearing into the barley. The poor thing did not count with all my years of experience hunting lions in the sabana with my bare hands.... Actually, the poor thing, could hear/smell me coming form miles away and run. The picture i took is not worth showing in this space.

Cotswold scenery

I continued to walk planing to camp wild in a field. It took a while to find the spot as all I could see were endless barley fields. In the end, I found it and just before pitching the ten I could hear something like a bark... coming form a dog with a really bad cold. Bark again, and again.... and then I saw andother roe deer in the next field down the hill. Grabbed the camera, and run towards the hedge, went through it and looked. The deer had gone to the fild where I was coming from, through the same hedge like 40 metres away from me. I just waited keeping down and waiting. I got lucky and I could see the deer walking diagonally towards me. Good!. I began shootong, motionless. The deer could hear the shutter, and meaybe see a shape, but did not run away as it looked directly to me.

The light was low. ISO 800. The VR system of the lens did its job.

Pitched the tent and just before dusk I could see Bristol lights in the horizon. Had dinner and "bed".

By the way. First 24 hours without a drop of alohol for a month....

The next morning I went straight to the village nearby to buy breakfast, another giant one. And then more walking. The objective for yesterday thursday was Stroud. The walked followed the west side of the Cotswolds hills, looking all the time to the Severn and the bridges from Bristol over it. The landscape reminded me the Southdowns with a very steep fall to the valley. From the hills i could see Wales, and the Brecon Beacons, in a beautiful sunny day.

Kept on walking, I was feeling that I really needed a shower and wash my clothes, so it would be a B&B in Stroud. I really was stinking...

Apart form that my feet were feeling pretty bad, and the last bit of the day walk, down the hill into the town, was a bit hard.

Found the place, and removing my shoes showed a few new blisters and a pair of generally swollen feet. A bit worrying to be honest, considering that almost, just began.

Had a burger for dinner, and a couple of hobgoblins form heaven, and went to have a deserved rest.

I did not sleep very well, I had a few bad dreams that I can not remember now, but that leave you with that depresing morning feeling, that, ;luckily is quickly taken over by reality: I nice sunny morning. The feet were still something to worry about, but I put some cotton wool padding on the them and so far today i have walked 3 hours to Glocester without any problem. I am in its library now, where, when i came in, i guy asked if i was friend of an unconcious homeless guy in the library hall. I wonder why...???! And right now, there is a lovely old lady, getting asleep with her hand on the computer mouse. Considering the she is sitter on an office wheeled chair, she might mark the table with her teeth.... I am watching out.

The plan now is walking straight north and camp in a camping by the Severn. According to the map, there is a pub right next to it. :)

That is all form the walk.

I hope you are all well.

Carlos

The perfect hill

Hi all

I am in Bath, and once again i don't have much time for updating the blog. Let's see what I can do.

Last tuesday before the fetival I went up Glastonbury Tor. The place is beautiful: round little hill, with awsome views. The sunset was looking like promising too, but eventually it was not that great. The tor it self is bigger than what I had thought. Took a few pictures and quickly descended the hill as it was quite chilly and i had forgotten my jacket (the same one that I almost eat two days before...)

On the next day I took the shuttle bus to the festival, and the first impressions were really good. A whole valley, ready to party, and hundreds of people arriving to the place. Great! And it was sunny. Put the tents up, and I had a few hours before Paco arrived to the festival, so I took my camera and went exploing.

Lots of people still arriving and stands and stages being put up. Although the music would not begin til friday there was already some music in small places.

Canadian singer. Beautiful voice.

Then Paco arrived. What happened in the following four days, is legend. And I think Paco and I will remember it (most of it...) for ever.

Woo hoo hooooooooo, hoooooo, yeaaaaaaaaaahhhh, WOO HOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Musically, I really liked Editors, and Kings of Leon really impressed me; very serious.

We also saw Hot Chip, and I can't get one the of their songs out of my head: "...over and over and over and over...."

Jay Z: Well, I don't know if he fits at Glasto or not, but he is defenetly not my cup of tea. Rubish!!

Taking a break....

And then it was Spain winning the eurocup. Amazing!!!!. We managed to find a place to see it. Dozens of us seeing the final in a 14" screen. It was good.

Celebrations for the victory gave a sore head monday morning. Having to pack things on that state was not fun. Anyway, headache was gone quickly and on monday I walked to Wells; nice place with beautiful Cathedral.

It was an experince to get into the Hills and suddenly, there was no any noise; such a contrast after 5 days of non stop music and people.

Yesterday, the plan was going all the way to Bath. On the map it was a long way, and it was it in reallity too, but I took quite well, and I was not too nackered when I got to the youth hostel. Yesterday walk run through easy walking hills, finally leaving behin the Somerset levels.

Me in Bath. With full gear on.

From Bath (a place that reminds me the city of London), today, I am planning to take the Costwald Way Northbound, and see where I can get.

I would like to add some more coment on the consequences of carrying the ad flag. It is a real pleasure; people don't stop smiling at me. It's thumbs up and horns from cars, as well as silent lips pronouncing "Walking Britain". Really motivating. I was also about to cause a couple of car accidents: people that take too long reading the advert at my back... oops!

That is all from the moment. I hope you are well and thank you for reading me.

Carlos